Protective Arm Cover

ABSTRACT

A protective arm cover utilizes a set of curved rigid panels to create a firm, structurally-sound guard with an opening for a user&#39;s arm. A set of metal ties may be used to join adjacent panels, securing the panels end-to-end. The panels and ties may utilize sets of holes to enable connection and size adjustment, thus preventing the apparatus from consuming too much space on the bed and simultaneously ensuring that the user&#39;s arm is comfortably supported during sleep. Shifting aligned holes in the panels and ties allows for adjustment of the diameter of the arm space. An inner padding within the arm opening created by the panels ensures that the user&#39;s arm is cushioned from the rigid panels. Similarly, an outer padding prevents the user&#39;s head from contacting the panels and ties while the user rests. Thus, the apparatus may prevent damage or discomfort to an extremity during sleep.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 17/305,930 filed on Jul. 16, 2021. The U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 17/305,930 claims a priority to a U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/059,384 filed on Jul. 31, 2020.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a sleeping tool. More specifically, the protective arm cover relates to a rigid tubular unit lined with comfortable padding material that prevents a user from cutting off circulation to the arm and/or shoulder during sleep due to pressure, especially from the user's head or from a partner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The average human spends about one third of their life asleep. This time is used by the body to reinforce neurons, repair muscles, and perform other similar maintenance in order to optimize performance for the following day. People may attain a sleep state by resting in a variety of different positions according to personal preference. Among common sleeping positions are on the sleeper's back and on the left or right side. Such positions are also often advantageous for those sleeping with partners.

For many sleepers, however, different positions may create different problems. One such issue commonly affecting sleepers is the issue of sleep positioning affecting circulation to the extremities. Often, a sleeper will roll onto an arm while trying to fall asleep. Such a position may be more comfortable in the short-term, but over several minutes, this may result in the arm falling asleep, causing discomfort that can prevent the sleeper from achieving restful sleep. An individual who falls asleep in such a position may wake up to experience the awful sensation of pins and needles accompanying a “dead arm”, or an arm that has received insufficient oxygen from blood flow over time. This may also occur to a sleeper who is cuddling with an arm under the head or neck of a partner. What is needed is a device that can protect the upper arm region from being pinned into a position during sleep. Further desirable is a size-adjustable device that can support pressure without transferring it to the user's arm.

The present invention addresses these issues. The protective arm cover utilizes a set of curved rigid panels to create a firm, structurally-sound guard with space for a user's arm. A set of metal ties may be used to join adjacent panels, securing the panels end-to-end. The panels and ties may utilize sets of holes to enable connection and size adjustment, thus preventing the present invention from consuming too much space on the bed or near pillows and simultaneously ensuring that the user's arm is comfortably supported during sleep. An inner padding within the arm opening created by the panels ensures that the user's arm is cushioned from the rigid panels. Similarly, an outer padding prevents the user's head from contacting the panels and ties while the user rests. Thus, the present invention may prevent damage or discomfort to an extremity, especially an arm, during sleep.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention without the inner padding or outer padding.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a flattened tie and flattened panel of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of flattened ties and a flattened panel the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a protective arm cover that is used to protect an extremity, especially the upper arm, of a user during rest and sleep. The present invention is also configured to adjust to different arm sizes, thus enabling minimization of the amount of space the present invention requires. The present invention may comprise a plurality of curved arm panels 1, a plurality of panel-tie assemblies 6, an inner padding 14, and an outer padding 17, as shown in FIG. 1. The plurality of curved arm panels 1 is a set of curved rigid units that prevent damage to the user's arm during rest. The plurality of panel-tie assemblies 6 denotes the set of connective plates which enable connection to and subsequent size adjustment of the plurality of curved arm panels 1. The inner padding 14 is any of a variety of foam, cushion, or other such protective items capable of absorbing mechanical energy, thereby preventing damage to the user's arm from contact with the plurality of curved arm panels 1. Similarly, the outer padding 17 is any of a variety of foam, cushion, or other such protective items capable of absorbing mechanical energy, thereby preventing damage to the user's head from contact with the plurality of curved arm panels 1 or the plurality of panel-tie assemblies 6.

The general configuration of the aforementioned components allows the present invention to efficiently and effectively protect a user's arm while resting. Each of the plurality of curved arm panels 1 may comprise a concave face 2 and a convex face 3, as shown in FIG. 2. The concave face 2 is the portion of the plurality of curved arm panels 1 that contacts a user's arm during a preferred usage of the present invention. The convex face 3 is the portion of the plurality of curved arm panels 1 that contacts a user's head during a preferred usage of the present invention. The plurality of curved arm panels 1 may be radially positioned around a central axis 18. This arrangement results in the generation of an arm hole, thus allowing a user to protect their arm by placing their arm colinearly with the central axis 18. Each of the plurality of panel-tie assemblies 6 may be attached in between a first corresponding curved arm panel and a second corresponding curved arm panel, wherein the first corresponding curved arm panel and the second corresponding curved arm panel are from the plurality of curved arm panels 1. In this way, the first corresponding curved arm panel and the second corresponding curved arm panel may be terminally joined in order to form a circular profile. Furthermore, each of the plurality of panel-tie assemblies 6 may be attached onto the convex face 3 of the first corresponding curved arm panel and the convex face 3 of the second corresponding curved arm panel. In this way, the plurality of panel-tie assemblies 6 may combine adjacent panels of the plurality of curved arm panels 1.

The present invention further requires mechanisms by which to prevent the user from discomfort due to the presence of rigid materials. To this end, the inner padding 14 may be positioned within the plurality of curved arm panels 1, as shown in FIG. 3. The inner padding 14 may thus prevent damage to the plurality of curved arm panels 1 from the user's arm and may simultaneously improve the comfort of the user. The inner padding 14 may be operatively coupled to the concave face 2 of each of the plurality of curved arm panels 1, wherein the inner padding 14 is used to compress against the plurality of curved arm panels 1. Thus, the inner padding 14 may adjust to any desired size of the arm hole formed by the plurality of curved arm panels 1. The outer padding 17 may be positioned around the plurality of curved arm panels 1. The outer padding 17 may thus prevent damage to the plurality of curved arm panels 1 and the plurality of panel-tie assemblies 6 from the user's head and may simultaneously improve the comfort of the user. The outer padding 17 may be operatively coupled to the convex face 3 of each of the plurality of curved arm panels 1, wherein the outer padding 17 is used to tension the plurality of curved arm panels 1 together. In this way, the outer padding 17 may adjust to any desired size of the rounded exterior formed by the plurality of curved arm panels 1.

The inner padding 14 and the outer padding 17 must be capable of adjusting to desirable diametric sizes in order to enable the user to change the size of the present invention during use. To this end, the inner padding 14 and the outer padding 17 may each comprise an annular padding body 15 and a circumference-adjusting gap 16, as shown in FIG. 1. The annular padding body 15 relates to the volume occupied by the inner padding 14 and the outer padding 17, respectively. The circumference-adjusting gap 16 is a space that separates the distal ends of both the inner padding 14 and the outer padding 17. The annular padding body 15 of the inner padding 14 may be pressed against the concave face 2 of each of the plurality of curved arm panels 1. This arrangement allows the inner padding 14 to be expansively connected against the concave face 2 of each of the plurality of curved arm panels 1. Conversely, the annular padding body 15 of the outer padding 17 may be pressed against the convex face 3 of each of the plurality of curved arm panels 1. This arrangement allows the outer padding 17 to be compressively connected against the convex face 3 of each of the plurality of curved arm panels 1. The circumference-adjusting gap 16 may traverse through the annular padding body 15. In this way, the size of the circumference-adjusting gap 16 may grow or shrink in accordance with adjustments to the size of the plurality of curved arm panels 1.

The plurality of curved arm panels 1 must be rigid enough to support the weight of the user's head, body, or other weights that may be present during sleeping. To this end, the plurality of curved arm panels 1 may be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This material ensures that the plurality of curved arm panels 1 has sufficient toughness to withstand continuous pressure over extended periods of time.

The inner padding 14 and the outer padding 17 must be firm and flexible to provide protection for both the user and for the plurality of curved arm panels 1. To enable this, the inner padding 14 and the outer padding 17 may be made of polyethene foam. In this way the inner padding 14 and the outer padding 17 may be well-equipped to dissipate pressure and forces during sleep.

The present invention must be of dimensions that enable appropriate coverage of an arm or limb segment without hindering the user's mobility and comfort. To provide for this, a straight width 4 for each of the plurality of curved arm panels 1 may be 3.5 inches, as shown in FIG. 5. In this way, the plurality of curved arm panels 1 does not interfere unduly with the user's ability to move the user's arm during use.

Similarly, each of the plurality of curved arm panels 1 must be long enough to join to an adjacent arm panel. To this end, a curved length 5 for each of the plurality of curved arm panels 1 may be 5.5 inches, as shown in FIG. 6. Thus, the plurality of curved arm panels 1 may connect to each other to form a cohesively connected unit capable of distributing ambient forces as desired.

The plurality of panel-tie assemblies 6 must be capable of retaining the plurality of curved arm panels 1 in position during use. To this end, each of the plurality of panel-tie assemblies 6 may comprise a panel tie 7, a plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8, a plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11, a pair of first fasteners 12, and a pair of second fasteners 13, as shown in FIG. 6. The panel tie 7 denotes the generally rigid unit which, in the preferred usage of the present invention, joins adjacent panels of the plurality of curved arm panels 1 together. The plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8 is a set of generally circular cuts through which fasteners may fit. Similarly, the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11 is a set of generally circular cuts through which fasteners may fit. The plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8 is a set of screws, nuts, and other such tools capable of securing an adjacent panel of the plurality of curved arm panels 1 together with a panel tie 7 through the plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8. Similarly, the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11 is a set of screws, nuts, and other such tools capable of securing an adjacent panel of the plurality of curved arm panels 1 together with a panel tie 7 through the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11. The plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8 may traverse through the first corresponding curved arm panel. This arrangement allows the plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8 to help secure a panel tie 7 to the first corresponding curved arm panel. Furthermore, the plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8 may be serially distributed along the first corresponding panel. In this way, different pairs of the plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8 may be utilized to adjust the size of the present invention. The panel tie 7 may be attached to a first selected panel-hole pair by the pair of first fasteners 12, wherein the first selected panel-hole pair is from the plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8. Thus, the panel tie 7 may secure in any pair of the plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8 as desirable for forming an appropriately-sized opening for a user's arm. The plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11 may traverse through the second corresponding curved arm panel. This arrangement allows the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11 to help secure a panel tie 7 to the second corresponding curved arm panel. Furthermore, the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11 may be serially distributed along the second corresponding panel. In this way, different pairs of the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11 may be utilized to adjust the size of the present invention. The panel tie 7 may be attached to a second selected panel-hole pair by the pair of second fasteners 13, wherein the second selected panel-hole pair is from the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11. Thus, the panel tie 7 may secure in any pair of the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11 as desirable for forming an appropriately-sized opening for a user's arm.

The panel tie 7 must be made of material capable of withstanding cyclical fatigue and maintaining a generally rigid shape. To this end, the panel tie 7 may be made of metal. The metal may be any of a variety of materials with desired resilient mechanical properties, thus ensuring a secure connection between the panel tie 7 and an adjacent panel of the plurality of curved arm panels 1.

The plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8 must be positioned such that fine adjustments may be made to the diameter of the arm opening. To this end, an interval distance 9 amongst the plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8 may be 0.375 inches, as shown in FIG. 2. This distance has been found to be optimal for providing appropriate size control over the dimensions of the arm opening.

Similarly, the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11 must be positioned to allow for size adjustment of the diameter of the arm opening. To this end, an interval distance 9 amongst the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11 may be 0.375 inches, as shown in FIG. 2. This distance has been found to be optimal for providing appropriate size control over the dimensions of the arm opening.

Both holes of each of the plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8 must also be positioned at a distance from each other in order to prevent wiggling or other such undesirable motion of the panel tie 7 relative to a connected panel of the plurality of curved arm panels 1. To enable this, an offset distance 10 between each of the plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8 may be 1.313 inches, as shown in FIG. 2. This arrangement prevents undesirable motion between a panel tie 7 and the corresponding panel of the plurality of curved arm panels 1.

Similarly, the holes of each of the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11 must be positioned at a distance from each other in order to prevent wiggling of the panel tie 7 relative to a connected panel of the plurality of curved arm panels 1, as shown in FIG. 4. To enable this, an offset distance 10 between each of the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11 may be 1.313 inches. This arrangement prevents undesirable motion between a panel tie 7 and the corresponding panel of the plurality of curved arm panels 1.

The plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8 and the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11 must be positioned appropriately upon their corresponding panels of the plurality of curved arm panels 1 in order to enable desirable connection. To this end, the plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8 may be terminally positioned on the first corresponding curved arm panel. This arrangement ensures that the plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8 is positioned appropriately for intuitive engagement with a panel tie 7. Similarly, the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11 may be terminally positioned on the second corresponding curved arm panel, as shown in FIG. 4. This arrangement ensures that the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11 is positioned appropriately for intuitive engagement with a panel tie 7. The pair of first fasteners 12 may be terminally positioned on the panel tie 7. This arrangement allows the pair of first fasteners 12 to screw, pinch, press, or otherwise join the panel tie 7 to the plurality of first panel-hole pairs 8. The pair of second fasteners 13 may be terminally positioned on the panel tie 7 opposite to the pair of first fasteners 12. This arrangement allows the pair of second fasteners 13 to screw, pinch, press, or otherwise join the panel tie 7 to the plurality of second panel-hole pairs 11.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective arm cover comprising: a plurality of curved arm panels; a plurality of panel-tie assemblies; an inner padding; an outer padding; each of the plurality of curved arm panels comprising a concave face and a convex face; the plurality of curved arm panels being radially positioned around a central axis; each of the plurality of panel-tie assemblies being attached in between a first corresponding curved arm panel and a second corresponding curved arm panel, wherein the first corresponding curved arm panel and the second corresponding curved arm panel are from the plurality of curved arm panels; each of the plurality of panel-tie assemblies being attached onto the convex face of the first corresponding curved arm panel and the convex face of the second corresponding curved arm panel; the inner padding being positioned within the plurality of curved arm panels; the inner padding being operatively coupled to the concave face of each of the plurality of curved arm panels, wherein the inner padding is used to compress against the plurality of curved arm panels; the outer padding being positioned around the plurality of curved arm panels; and the outer padding being operatively coupled to the convex face of each of the plurality of curved arm panels, wherein the outer padding is used to tension the plurality of curved arm panels together.
 2. The protective arm cover as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the inner padding and the outer padding each comprising an annular padding body and a circumference-adjusting gap; the annular padding body of the inner padding being pressed against the concave face of each of the plurality of curved arm panels; the annular padding body of the outer padding being pressed against the convex face of each of the plurality of curved arm panels; and the circumference-adjusting gap traversing through the annular padding body.
 3. The protective arm cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of curved arm panels is made of polyvinyl chloride.
 4. The protective arm cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner padding and the outer padding are made of polyethene foam.
 5. The protective arm cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein a straight width for each of the plurality of curved arm panels is 3.5 inches.
 6. The protective arm cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein a curved length for each of the plurality of curved arm panels is 5.5 inches.
 7. The protective arm cover as claimed in claim 1 comprising: each of the plurality of panel-tie assemblies comprising a panel tie, a plurality of first panel-hole pairs, a plurality of second panel-hole pairs, a pair of first fasteners, and a pair of second fasteners; the plurality of first panel-hole pairs traversing through the first corresponding curved arm panel; the plurality of first panel-hole pairs being serially distributed along the first corresponding panel; the panel tie being attached to a first selected panel-hole pair by the pair of first fasteners, wherein the first selected panel-hole pair is from the plurality of first panel-hole pairs; the plurality of second panel-hole pairs traversing through the second corresponding curved arm panel; the plurality of second panel-hole pairs being serially distributed along the second corresponding panel; and the panel tie being attached to a second selected panel-hole pair by the pair of second fasteners, wherein the second selected panel-hole pair is from the plurality of second panel-hole pairs.
 8. The protective arm cover as claimed in claim 7, wherein the panel tie is made of metal.
 9. The protective arm cover as claimed in claim 7, wherein an interval distance amongst the plurality of first panel-hole pairs is 0.375 inches.
 10. The protective arm cover as claimed in claim 7, wherein an interval distance amongst the plurality of second panel-hole pairs is 0.375 inches.
 11. The protective arm cover as claimed in claim 7, wherein an offset distance between each of the plurality of first panel-hole pairs is 1.313 inches.
 12. The protective arm cover as claimed in claim 7, wherein an offset distance between each of the plurality of second panel-hole pairs is 1.313 inches.
 13. The protective arm cover as claimed in claim 7 comprising: the plurality of first panel-hole pairs being terminally positioned on the first corresponding curved arm panel; the plurality of second panel-hole pairs being terminally positioned on the second corresponding curved arm panel; the pair of first fasteners being terminally positioned on the panel tie; and the pair of second fasteners being terminally positioned on the panel tie, opposite to the pair of first fasteners. 